The Boston Bruins made Jake DeBrusk a healthy scratch again over the weekend, and it appears as though there is finally a split coming between the two sides. Ryan Rishaug of TSN confirmed with DeBrusk’s agent that he has requested a trade out of Boston, and Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet notes that the two are working to find him a fresh start.
DeBrusk, 25, is one of the infamous three first-round draft picks the Bruins made in 2015 and for quite some time, was regarded as the only one that had “worked out.” While Jakub Zboril and Zachary Senyshyn toiled in the minor leagues, DeBrusk was playing in the NHL, recording 62 goals over his first three seasons in the league.
Those numbers have dropped considerably since the start of 2020-21 though, with just eight goals and 20 points in 58 games over the last two seasons. With that decreased production the winger has also found inconsistent playing time, moving up and down the lineup.
On the second season of a two-year, $7.35MM ($4.675MM AAV) deal signed in November 2020, DeBrusk can become a restricted free agent once again next summer. It’s just a “could” because whatever team owns his rights at that point would need to issue him a $4.41MM qualifying offer just to retain them as an RFA. That’s certainly not a slam dunk given the way he’s played recently, especially when it would also come with the risk of arbitration.
Still, it’s easy to see how a team would think they can squeeze a top-six player out of DeBrusk. He has all the skills to score at a high level, as shown by his 27-goal season in 2018-19, he can be a physical presence when he wants to be, and there’s powerplay upside if deployed properly. If the asking price isn’t prohibitive, both contending teams and those that are rebuilding could be interested in the winger.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Rangers are looking for a top 6 forward. Bruins are in need of cap space. Maybe DeBrusk for Kravtsov?
Kravtsov will bring (at least) 2nd round pick.With DeBrusk you have to give up draft pick to get rid of him
No, the Bruins aren’t paying a draft pick just to move DeBrusk. If the return in the trade warrants a draft pick, it would be included, but they’re not in a situation where they need to pay just to move DeBrusk.
If Jake had any real value the Bruins would have traded him already. At this point it’ll be a dump at best or maybe disgruntled trash for disgruntled trash.
He will look great in Arizona!!
Throw in few draft picks and it may happen
Imagine what could’ve been with the Barzel/Connor/Boeser line. Oops!
DeBrusk to AVS for Tyson Jost would help AVS with size up front…
I don’t hate that idea at all. There’s actually quite a bit of merit to it, on the avs side at least. But what do the bruins gain there? Jost hasn’t come close to living up to his draft billing either. As a matter of fact, he’s been considerably worse than DeBrusk.
Fresh start for both, really.
Trade to Chicago for Alex Nylander
Strome might make more sense but I’d trade them both to make a deal happen
To the flyers for JVR? Flyers retain some money? Both players need a change of scenery
Sabres would offer you a 2022 5th round draft pick ;) ;)
Should’ve been done in the offseason but like every offseason Sweeney sucked and screwed the team
Bruins need to find owners who care about their team not be ok if the team only makes the playoffs in the next few yrs this team is going to blow we nothing in the pipeline to look forward to
Maybe something to be worked out with the Sharks regarding Kane???? Both play LW…Sharks would still have to retain money, but maybe not as much as if straight dump.
That’s what I thought too though, not sure how the extra 4 years on Kanes contract would affect things, even if they retain money. Sharks probably wouldn’t trade draft picks to make this happen I wouldn’t imagine, though even half that cap space is valuable…
I don’t think there’s a team in the league willing to take on any part of Kane’s baggage or contract.
DeBrusk for Yamamoto.
no room for Jake on the left side. yamamoto is definitely the better player at half the cost. Edmonton is already in cap trouble.
Hyman – LW/RW
Foegele – Lw/RW
RNH – LW/C
DeBrusk – LW/RW
There are options. And I am sure there is a way the money can be worked out. Add a Kassian or Russell for example.
DeBrusk for Zach Aston-Reese.
Would be nice to see what he could do being on the Pens!
DeBrusk and a 3rd for Rasmussen. Boston gets a C, Detroit gets ???? ……a draft pick!
Hi Gavin,
It comes to my attention that I didn’t see this title error until now. Can you fix the title of the word ‘Traden’? Please & thank you.
“Jake DeBrusk Requests ‘Traden'”